Optometry NSW/ACT is hosting two free webinars for optometrists via Zoomlink on 22 and 30 March 2022.
ECONA Presents
On 22 March at 7pm, members of the early career optometrists association (ECONA) will present Delicate conversations and how to talk to your patients about bad news.
This webinar will focus on strategies and templates for early career optometrists in handling difficult conversations and delivering unwelcome diagnoses.
The webinar will comprise two presentations and a panel discussion.
Being Good at the Bad
During this presentation, early career optometrist Kerry Ho will discuss his insights into delivering bad news to a patient about their declining vision or ocular disease, including how to discuss clinical findings, prognosis and management plans with both adult and paediatric patients. The potential applications of the SPIKEs protocol will be considered.
Living With Stargardt Disease
Rolf Geerlings will share his experiences of living with Stargardt disease and provide advice on how to deliver information and care to people with end-stage vision loss.
Panel Discussion
Sukanya Jaiswal (Chair), paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Parth Shah, and early career optometrists Brian Truong and Lowana Littlechild will share difficult conversations or experiences they have encountered in clinical practice, including what they learnt and tips on communication.
Find the full program and here.
In response to increased anxiety around changes to driving-licensing, particularly online forms and restricted licenses, Optometry NSW/ACT has engaged subject-matter expert Beth Cheal
Cracking the Code: Optometrists, Driving Vision And Licensing
Understanding what’s required in assessing fitness to drive is a major bug-bear for optometrists. In response to increased anxiety around changes to driving-licensing, particularly online forms and restricted licenses, Optometry NSW/ACT has engaged subject-matter expert Beth Cheal to discuss the following topics at 7pm on 30 March 2022:
- Common vision conditions and impact on driving (e.g., macular degeneration and monocular vision),
- Related medico-legal and ethical issues,
- Working within Austroads Medical Guidelines,
- Application of license endorsement codes (e.g., kilometre restrictions),
- Managing changes to license classes (e.g., commercial and C class licenses),
- Reporting results via HealthLink, and
- Communicating recommendations to the client; case studies.
